Hyundai A-League MatchDay 18 Preview

Brisbane Roar V Sydney FC:

Last time these two sides met, Matt McKay approached the media fully confident that his side (Brisbane Roar) could end Sydney FC’s winning streak. One month has passed since then and the SkyBlue’s remain undefeated with 13 wins and 4 draws. Brisbane will have the home ground advantage in this match but have struggled to record back to back wins at home this season. The double chance of Sydney FC and the draw seems the best option here. Simply cannot go against a formidable Sydney FC.

Western Sydney fell short against Brisbane Roar last week and will be looking to bounce back this week against the Phoenix. The Wanderers have scored exactly 2 goals in each of their last five games against Wellington, helping them secure three victories. Wellington have kept 5 clean sheets in their last 7 home games, illustrating just how solid they are at home. If anyone is going to find the back of the net, it will be the Wanderers. They always find a route to goal.

After winning a string of matches Melbourne Victory find themselves in a different situation leading into this match. They have lost three consecutive matches to Wellington, Perth and Sydney in recent weeks. In the last Melbourne Derby the scores were tied at 1-1 at half time until Besart Berisha was able to find the back of the net late in the second half. I’d expect this match to be extremely physical in the first half.

Newcastle Jets claimed a 2-1 victory over Melbourne City last week and continue to impress. I’ve said it before and i’ll say it again, when Andrew Nabbout is firing Newcastle Jets are firing. The attacking midfielder was only allowed 3 shots on goal last week and finished 2 of them. Perth Glory allowed their opposition 16 shots on target last week and as a result suffered a 2-0 defeat to 9th place Central Coast. Both Newcastle and Perth Glory will be determined to win this match and move further up the ladder.

Ninth placed Central Coast Mariners will host bottom of the table Adelaide United at GIO Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Central Coast were finally allowed to have some shots on goal last week against Perth Glory and were able to deliver. In their match against Melbourne City they were restricted to 37% possession, 2 shots on goals yet managed to find the back of the net once. The same occurred when they played Wellington Phoenix in MatchDay 15. Adelaide United are really struggling to defend their championship title and continue to leak goals. Adelaide will begin favourites ($1.80) in this match due to last week’s performance against Wellington where they dominated with 27 shots. The result of that match was in-fact a draw (2-2), if Adelaide United can’t win with 27 shots they won’t stand a chance to beat Central Coast at home.